interpack 2026 will bring together the industry’s technological offerings across three halls covering around 40,000 square meters, to reflect a growing industry undergoing transformation. The confectionery and bakery zone spans Halls 1, 3 and 4, which can be easily reached from the South Entrance of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Center. Solutions exhibited in these halls will cover the entire value chain, interpack anticipates, from raw material processing, shaping and coating to primary and secondary packaging. “The technological core of the industry is represented on site,” organizers highlight.
The bakery-focused area is complemented by the world’s largest selection of packaging materials and supplies in Halls 7–10.
In total, over 2,800 exhibitors from around the world are expected at interpack from May 7 to 13.
Stable industry environment with clear growth momentum
Despite numerous challenges, the industry is growing, the exhibition notes: the global market for baked goods stood at 177 million tonnes in 2024, and is expected to grow by 9.6% by 2029. Markets in the Middle East and Africa are driving this growth.
The global confectionery market is also set to grow by 4.5% by 2029. Latin America, the Middle East and Africa are showing double-digit growth rates, while North America is experiencing a slight decline (source: Euromonitor International/VDMA).
At the same time, sales regions, cost structures and regulatory frameworks are shifting. The scale of the challenges is highlighted by companies exhibiting in the confectionery and bakery sector at interpack 2026. One of these is Bühler, which can be found in Hall 3 at interpack. Thomas Isom, Global Head of Business Development Consumer Foods at Bühler, illustrates: “The greatest pressure for transformation stems from the combined impact of raw material crises, sustainability requirements, health regulations and rising costs. The key levers for companies, therefore, lie in three areas: resilient and sustainable raw material and supply chains, recipe and product innovation (particularly sugar reduction and alternative ingredients), and increased efficiency and flexible production.”
Companies that want to be successful by 2030 must align their strategy along three core axes, says Thomas Bischof (Bühler):
- Resilient and sustainable raw material and supply chains,
- Healthier and differentiated product innovations,
- Digital, efficient and flexible production.
“Those who consistently combine these three dimensions can address costs, sustainability and consumer expectations simultaneously.”
Visitors can find further details on all participating companies and their solutions in the exhibitor and product database: https://www.interpack.com/vis/v1/en/search.
Photo: Constanze Tillmann